Waynesville Defensive Coordinator Karl Wilking beamed while speaking about his defense after their impressive 36 plays (each team had 12 snaps of offense).

“We were just playing basic defense,” Wilking said. “Overall, the kids are buying into our concepts. We started a model three-and-out and shutout. Now the kids want to make sure every game that happens. It’s a good goal. We’ll see what happens when we start playing.”

He knows it doesn’t count for anything, but it has given the team a visible momentum boost.

After slapping the cuffs on the Blue Jays, and only a couple of plays into the exhibition against the Eagles, players on the sideline began to demand perfection of their teammates. Shouts of “no-fly zone” and “don’t let them score” were frequent.

After the defense posted another goose egg, it was up to the junior varsity. And they didn’t disappoint.

“That’s the best part about football – the defense – you have to have a defense to stop them,” said junior Seth Hedrick.